Nicola

Meaning of Nicola

Nicola derives from the Italian adaptation of the ancient Greek name Nikólaos—itself a compound of níkē (“victory”) and laós (“people”)—and, by virtue of its etymological pedigree and association with the early Christian figure of Saint Nicholas, evokes both classical heritage and hagiographic resonance. As a unisex appellation, it occupies a unique position within Anglo-American naming conventions, wherein it is articulated in Italian as /niˈkoːla/ and in English as /nɪkˈoʊlə/. Systematic analysis of United States Social Security records reveals that Nicola first attained measurable popularity in the early twentieth century, peaking circa 1910 at rank 280, before experiencing a protracted, albeit intermittent, decline punctuated by minor mid-century resurgences; by 2024 its frequency had settled at 35 occurrences, corresponding to rank 889. Such longitudinal data underscore its persistent, if modest, appeal among parents seeking a name that balances historical gravitas with gender-neutral versatility.